Luminous-flame signaling apparatus



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G. E. HULSJE` LUMI NOUS' FLAME S I G N ALI NG APPARATUS Filed Oct. 26, 15218 4 sheets-sheet 2 Mar. 3, 1925 f G. E. HULSEv LUMINoUs FLAME SIGNALING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 26, l18 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 S/Aw ,4 TTOHNEY Patented Mar. 3, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE E. HULSE, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO THE SAFETY CAR HEAT- ING & LIGHTING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY'.

LUMINOUS-FLAME SIGNALING APPARATUS.

Application filed October 26, 1918.

To @ZZ whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, GEORGE E. I-IULsE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Newark, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Luminous- Flame Signaling Apparatus, of which they following is a full, clear, and exact description, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to signaling appai'atus which involves the combustion of gas to produce a luminous signal flame, and with respect to its more specific features to buoys, beacons, stake-lights, light-ships and lighthouses.

In the art of signaling employing luminous flame as the light source, attention has been devoted rather to the projecting and controlling of the radiated light than to the character of the luminous flame itself. The normal luminous flame such as produced by combustion of an efficient hydrocarbon gas has been, unconsciously perhaps, accepted as a standard, variable within certain limits, dependent upon the contemplated use, whereas a fruitful field: to wit, the quality of the radiated light and its cooperation with certain projecting devices seems to have been almost wholly neglected, if not unrecognized. The present invention involves on the one hand, recognition of the qualities of different lights, their different physiological effects and their different cooperative effects with projectors, as lenses or other refracting media., and on the other hand the provision of a practical means by which the various factors of the first hand may be taken advantage of and controlled to the end that a luminous flame signaling apparatus of high radiant and mechanical efficiency under difficult practical conditions may result. An embodiment of the invention will first be described, and certain advantageous results will be pointed out thereafter.

One of the objects of the invention is the provision of a practical device for automatically supplying hydrocarbon gas and free oxygen to a burner for the production of a highly luminous signal flame.

Another object is the provision of a simple device for automatically controlling the de- Seral No. 259,883.

livery of different gases to a burner intermittently and in timed relation.

Still another object is the provision of a practical apparatus for the production of a flashing flame formed by combustion of free oxygen and a hydrocarbon gas in which the supply of free oxygen to the burner is controlled` by the supply of hydrocarbon gas thereto. n

Another object is the provision of a flashing buoy of practical and efficient consti'uction, relatively inexpensive, and adapted to subserve lthe vicissitudes of use in which the light is produced by combustion of free oxygen with hydrocarbon gas.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a practical device to increase the effectiveness of flame signal lights, to the end that the visibility of such lights for short distances may be retained and their efficiency enhanced and yet the visibility of the light for long distances be increased.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a simple apparatus in which a closer approach to perfection of focusing of the light source or energy radiator, when derived from burning gas, relative to prismatic refractors, as usually employed in light-houses, buoys, etc., may be attained.

Another object is the provision of a simple device for the production of an annular luminous hydrocarbon flame of a rela-` tively high temperature in which the temperature radiations generally normal to the annulus are substantially uniform around the annulus and concentrated in a relatively short smokeless annular flame.

Still another object is the provision of an apparatus of the character referred to in which lthe intensity of a flame of hydrocarbon gas is increased without necessarily cation of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification and wherein similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

' Fig. 1 is a site elevation of the invention as embodiedin Ya buoy, parts ofthe apparatus being shown in section and partly broken away for clearer disclosure;

Fig. 2 is a. perspective view showingcertain interior construction of one v of the flashing chambers;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section through this flashing chamber;

Fig. 4 is aplan view of this flashing chamber suriiiounted by the burner.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of Fig. '-1, the burner and some associated parts'being illustrated in vertical section;

Figs. 6, 7, 8 and 9 illustrate various Adetails of the burner; and

Fig. 10 is a side elevation of the buoy body with the tower broken away.

The disclosure is herein made in connection with a light buoy, bein-g arsiinple example of signals of the character above referred to. The numeral 1 indicates the body of the buoy, which may be a floating body and anchored in position by means of a chain 2. The numeral 3 indicates a tower, being a metallic skeleton frame fastened to the upper portion of the body of the buoy and which may have, at a suitable point, a platform upon which an attendant may stand. Fasteiied to the upper' portion of the tower 3 is a pressure regulator 4, coniprising cylindrical, lateral walls supporting a lantern including a curved, as cylindrical, prisniatic refractor, as a Fresnel lens, a protective cage Gland a chimney 7. The upper wall of t-he chamber of the regulator comprises a web, or inwardly projecting flange 3, upon wliichismounted a flashing chamber 9 and aiburner 10, as more specifically hereinafter described. 'In the body of the buoyare separatesourcesof supply, for the combustible materials for furnishing the luminous Haine, this body being 'divided iiito two compartments, orreservoirs, one, indicated by the numeral 11, for the reception of compressed hydrocarbon gas, as Pintsch gas, and the other, indicated by the numeral 12, for the reception of gaseous; that is, free oxygen, in a compressed state. The gases from the reservoirs 11 and 12 are conducted through conduits in parallel, as distinct from conduits in series, i.ke., they are led through independent, or separate conduits to the burner 1 0, and in the present embodiment the conduit for the Vhydrocarbon gas includes the pipe 13, the regulator` chamber 4, into which this gas is-led from the pipe 13, the pressure,orfflashing chamber 9, towhich the gas is led from the regulator chamber, and a pipe through which communication is established between the flashing chamber and the burner. The

voirs to those suitable for the operation of the flashing chambers and the burner.

1n the p resent specific embodiment, each .conduit includes devices to control delivery to ,thev burner.

On its way to the .pressure regulator 4 from the reservoir, the hydrocarbon gas may be screened. From thepipe 13 it' passes through a valve'device 16, from which it emerges into the regulating chamber 4. yThe upperwall of this chamber isv provided with a flexible diaphragm 17, depending from which is a link 18 connected to a pivoted arm 19 of a valve which opens when the pressure in chamber 4 falls below a predetermined pressure and closes when the pressure exceeds the predetermined pressure. A yspring 2O serves to determine this pressure.

The numeral 21 indicates a pipe providing an exit opening from the regulating chamber for thehydrocarbon gas and conducting such gas to a valve fitting 22, whence such gas may be conveyed directly to vthe rburner or indirectly thereto after passing through the flashing chamber 9. In Fig. 4 the valvev fitting 22 is illustrated in plan as supplied by the pipe 21 from the regulating chamber. On the fitting 22 a pipe'23 leads horizontally around the outside ofthe flashing ychamber 9 and then extendsupwardly, as at 24, whence itcommunicates with the burner. A hand-operated screw valve 25 ,enables the pipe 2,3 to be shut off from the valve fitting. Also extending from the valve itting22 and horizontally partially around the flashingv chamber 9 isa pipe 26 which, or an extensionof which, enters through the side ofthe flashing chamber and communicates with aninlet port (Fig- 3). The numeral 28 indicates an outlet port for the fiashing chamber. Hydrocarbon gas emerging through said port passes through the passageway 29 and pipe 30,which latter communicates in turn with the pipe 24 leading to the burner. A handoperated screw valve 3l serves to cut off communication between the valve fitting 22 and the pipe 26 when desired. A third pipe, iianielypipe 32, leads from the valve fitting 22 directlytoa pilot port 33, 4) in close proximity tothe burner ports for the exit of the hydrocarbon gas and oxygen, for the purpose of providing a permanent;

27 of such chamber" igniter or pilot flame, for initiating the combustion at the burner. A screw valve 34 may be employed tol control the supply of hydrocarbon gas to the pilot port 33, as desired. If reference be made to-Fig. 4 it will be seen that by closing the valve 31 the hydrocarbon gas will be shut ofi' from the flashing chamber, and when the valve is open said gas will pass directly to the burner through the pipes 23 and 24; or the valve 25 may be closed and the valve 31 open, whereupo-n the hydrocarbon gas will pass through pipe 26 into the flashing chamber, thence out of the flashing chamber and through the pipes30` and 24 tothe burner.

Means, as a valve-device, is employed to control theentry and exit of the hydrocarbon gas into and out of the pressure, flashing chamber 9 and thereby control the delivery of this gas to its port in the burner and effect an intermittent emission of such gas from the burner port, to the end that a flashing light may be provided, the jet of hydrocarbon gas from the burner being ignited from the pilot, as will be understood. In the present embodiment this means comprises a rock shaft pivotally supported in conical bearings on the inner faces of brackets 41 upstanding from the bottom' 42 interiorly of an expansible and contractible chamber, the flashing chamber, one of these bearings being adjustable, as indicated at 43. The rock shaft 40 has two arms, 44 and 45 respectively, supporting valves 46 and 47 adapted to open and close the flashing chamber inlet port 27 and the flashing chamber outlet port 28, respectively, these valves being so disposed that when one of the ports, as 27, is closed, the other port, 28, is open and vice versa. The valves 27 and 28 are opened and Closedby variation in volume of the flashing chamber 9. At a suitable point in its length rock shaft 40 is provided with a lug 48. Above the rock shaft 40 and supported in the brackets 41 in a manner similar to that of the rock shaft 40, is another rock shaft, 49, having two arms and 51 adapted to co-operate with lug 48 to rock the shaft 40 in opposite directions. The province of the arms 50 and 51 is to cooperate with the lug 48 and, in the present embodiment, to strike said lug and thereby rock the shaft 40 in one direction or the other at proper times, and in order that adjustment may be provided for, tappet pins 52 and 53 are threaded into the arms 50 and 51 and serve as means for directly contacting with the lug 48. The upper rock shaft 49 has arms 54 and 55 at right angles thereto, the ends of each of which are connected motors, as coil springs 56, 57, which are normally under compression when the device is in operative condition, so that they are always in condition to rotate the shaft 49 in one direction or the other when properly set. In order to equalize the operation of the springs 56 and 57, they are connected to pins 58 and 59 carried by a yoke 60, the pins 58 and 59 having sliding action in supporting brackets 61 and 62. Fast to the upper rock shaft 49 of the motor-operated valve-device-striker is an arm or plate 63 between the two points, 64 and 65, of a forked lever or oscillatory double acting tappet fulcrumed on a bracket 66 upstanding from the bottom wall of the flashing chamber, the opposite end of the forked lever comprising an arm 67 disposed between knife edged bearings 68 and 69 of clamps 70 and 71 adjustably fastened to a stenr 72 depending from a flexible Vdiaphragm 73 fo-rming the upper wall of the flashing chamber and adapted to be energized by the pressure of gas in pressure chamber 9 to operate said double acting tappet. The numeral 74 indicates a guide lever for the stem 72, said lever being pivot-` ed'to bracket 75, as illustrated, and the. stem 72 being connected to the guide lever 74 by means of' an extension 76 passing through a slot in the lever 74, a pin 77 operating to prevent disconnection. This pin may be less in length than the slot, so that, upon registering therewith, the parts may be separated. The flexible diaphragm 73, which may be made of leather, may be held in place by an annular plate 78 bolted to a flanged side wall 79 of the flashing chamber and a thin rigid metallic plate 80, which may be of brass, may be employed to confine the eX- pansion of the diaphragm in an upward direction and restrict it beyond a certain limit to a relatively small central portion thereof. The numeral 8l indicates a coil spring resting upon the central portion of the diaphragm 7 3 and operating against a yoke 82 bolted to the plate 78. A top or cover 83 is employed to enclose the spring 81 and its yoke and serve as a support for the burner hereinafter described. To assist in seating the valves 46 and 47, light compression coil springs 84 may be employed, these springs being connected in pairs to said valves and to brackets 85.

The operation of the flashing chamber 9 may n-o-w be described. The hydrocarbon gas from the regulator 4 enters the flashing chamber through the pipe 26, assuming the inlet valve 46 to be open. The diaphragm 7 3 rises, the chamber thus expanding, as the gas continues to enter, and lifts the stem 72, which latter in turn raises the arm 67 and depresses the forked end of the lever or double acting tappet, and eventually the threaded pin in the tine 64 of this lever strikes the arm 63, thus rocking the upper shaft 49 in a direction to cause the pin 53 to approach thel lug 48. The tendency of the springs 56, 57 and 84 when the outlet valve 47 is closed is to retain the shaft 40 in position to keep the port 28 closed, but the rocking of the shaft 49 as just explained eventually reverses the operation of the springs 56 and 57, so that when the dead center is passed said springs 56 and 57 opera-te as motors, and quickly rock the shaft 49 so as to cause the pin 53 to strike the lug 48, thus quickly opening the port 28 and closing the port 27, whereupon gas vwill cease to enter the flashing chamber, and the gas therein will pass through the port 28 to the burner and be assisted in its passage thereto by the expansion of the spring 81, which, having had energy stored therein by pressure of gas, will depress the diaphragm 7 3, thus causing the chamber to contract, and force the gas to the burner. As the stem 7 2 descends a reverse operation of the forked lever will ensue and the lower fork will contact with the arm 63 and eventually the shaft 49 will be snap-rocked in the opposite direction to cause the inlet valve 46 to again open and the outlet valve 47 to again close. By adjusting the pins 52 and 53 the instant of operation of the valves 46 and 47 may be predetermined, and it may be noted that the forked lever or double acting tappet referred to may be provided with similar pins for determining the time of operation of the rock shaft 49. Thus the hydrocarbon gas will be automatically supplied to and cut off from the burner and the supply and cutting off thereof will be quickly accomplished so that the flame at the burner will be instantly extinguished or instantly supplied for ignition, as the case may be.

In the present embodiment the burner is supported upon the top 83 of the iiashing chamber and comprises a metallic frame, in the present instance made in upper and lower separable parts and 91, of substantial construction and providing` an interior hollow portion. The upper part comprises a vertical cylindrical opening 92 having a removable cylindrical post 93 threaded into the frame part and composed preferably of phosphor-bronze. Surrounding the post is a phosphor-bronze cylindrical shell 94 having a tapered portion 95 which may be seated in the tapered lower part of the opening 92 and drawn down and held irmly therein by a shoulder 96 on the post 93 co-operating with the base portion of the shell, as illustrated. Atits upper cylinn drical portion the shell 94 is spaced both from the cylindrical wall of the post 93 and the interior cylindrical wall of the opening 92, thus providing two concentric annular closely adjacent emission ports 96 and 97, the former for the emission of the hydrocarbon gas and the latter for the emission of free oxygen. The shell 94 is apertured, as at 98, adjacent its base, and these apertures register with an annular recess 99 in the frame portion 90. The hydrocarbon gas, being ksupplied t0 the recess 99 through the passageways 100 and 101 controlled by the valve 102, will find its way to the portfree oxygen through the pipe 15 from an.

oxygen controlling chamber 108. The pilot port 33 is located close to the outer port 97, and communication with a lateral passage 108 in the frame part 90, the passage 108 in turn communicating with the pipe 32.

The upper and lower frame parts 90 and 91 of the burner are hollowed out, as previously referred to, and their flanged portions 109 and 110 are bolted together, a flexible diaphragm 111 which may be of leather, being secured therebetween and dividing the hollow interior into two expansible and contractible chambers, the lower chamber receiving oxygen from the reservoir 12 through the pipes 14 and 14, the oxygen gas having its pressure reduced in another regulator, similar to the regulator 4, and situated therebelow as indicated at 13. The chamber 108 is adapted to control the delivery of free oxygen to the burner port 97, and in the present embodiment delivers it intermittently, or in flashes. The numeral 112 indicates an outlet port from' the oxygen chamber 108 to the burner port 97 controlled by valve 113 carried by pivoted arm 114, in turn pivotally connected to the central portion of the dialphragm 111, which provides a pressure operated valve-operating member,A the construction being such that, upon expansion of the chamber 108, as by a lifting of the diaphragm 11.1-, thus increasing the volume of this chamber, the valve 113 will be closed. A spring 115 co-operates withthe lever 114 and tends to close the valve and lift the diaphragm 111 and oppose operation of diaphragm 111 to open discharge valve 113. lVhen the volume ofthe chamber 108 is decreased as by a depression ofthe diaphragm, valve 113 will be opened and permit flow of oxygen to the burner.

The upper chamber of the burner frame is indicated by the numeral 116, the diaphragm 111 being a common wall between the two chambers, and the hydrocarbon gas on its way to theburner is permitted to enter the upper chamber 116 through the port or passagewayr 1,17 in communication with the pipe or passageway 24 leading the hydrocarbon gas from the flashing chamber. It will be perceived that when the hydro carbon gas acquires suiiicient pressure in the upper chamber 116 it will depress the diaphragm 111 and open the oxygen outlet valve 113 so as to permit the free oxygen to flow through the pipe or passageway 15 to the port 97 of the burner.

The burner 10 is so disposed that 'the luminous flame formed by the combustion of the hydrocarbon gas and free oxygen is as close as possible to the focus of the refracting projecting Fresnel lens; In the present embodiment the Fresnel lens is generally cylindrical, and it will be seen that the burner produces an annular Haine4 concentric with the lens and approximately at the focus of the lens.

The reservoirs 11 and 12 will be filled with the respective gases which should be under sufficient pressure to effectively feed and in suiiicient amount to supply the gases for a considerable period of time. The hydrocarbon gas will first have its pressure reduced to an efficient working pressure by the pressure regulator and thence will enter the flashing chamber through the port 27. As the gas continues to enter this gas chamber, the discharge valve 47 is in closed condition, and the wall 73 will be moved in a direction to increase the volume of this chamber and thereby, through the instrnmentalities ex plained, close the cut off valve 46 and simultaneously open the cut off valve 47. Thereupon the wall 73 will move in the opposite direction, thus decreasing the volume of this chamber, and pressing gas therefrom ivhile valve 46 is closed through the same instrumentalities, will then open the valve 46 and simultaneously close the valve 47, so as to permit a new supply of gas to enter from the regulatorchamber during closurerof valve 47. Hydrocarbon gas from the iiashing chamber 9 will be con ducted by the pipe 24 to the burner and alsoto the chamber 116, the movable diaphragm 111 of which latter is exposed to the pressure of this gas. The diaphragm, or member, 111 is also exposed to the pressure of the ogygen gas inthe gas or iiashing chamber 108, and it will be perceived that the diaphragm 111 will, within certain limits, take up a position dependent upon the pressures on the opposite sides thereof. As the pressure in the chamber 116 increases the diaphragm 111 will be depressed thus increasing the volume of chamber 116 and decreasing the volume of chamber 108, and the oxygen cut off valve 113 will open and permit delivery of oxygen to the burner. It will be seen that the diaphragm 111 moves in response to the difference in the pressures on the opposite sides thereof, and that the valve 113 is accordingly responsive to such difference, and though in the oxygen conduit, is controlled by delivery of gas through the 4other conduit to the burner, and is very sensitive. When the valve 47 opens to deliver hydrocarbon gas to the burner, the oxygen valve 113 opens practically immediately. When the valve 47 closes, the oxygen valve at once closes, the burner port serving as an exit for the hydrocarbon gas in the chamber 116, and

providing for an immediate reduction of pressure above the diaphragm 111.

Thus the oxygen delivery valve 113, is op erated in timed relation to the valves in the flashing chamber 9, and the Vjets of Ithe two gases at the burner are produced or cut off practically simultaneously, and at regular intervals. By setting the screw valve 31, the interval between flashes may be regulated as desired.

By closing the valve 31, the hydrocarbon gas may be eut off from the iiashing chamber 9, and on opening the valve 25, such gas will go directly to the burner via the conduits 23 and 24, and to the pilot via the conduit 32. Delivery of oxygen through pipe 14 may be controlled and, if desired, cut ofi', by operatingthe valve 118 (F ig. 1).

It will be observed that the pressure of gas in the hydrocarbon conduit energizes the pressure chamber, or flashing chamber, 9, the gas acting directly to raise the diaphragm, or wall, 73, and to store energy in the spring, or motor, 81. As the diaphragm rises it eventually operates the do-uble acting tappet in one direction, and sets the motors, Y

or springs 56 and 57, into position where they will suddenly expend some of their energy to cause the valve operator arm 51 to strike the lug 48 and thereby quickly o-pen valve 47 and simultaneously quickly close valve 46. As the diaphragm lowers under the influence of the spring 81, a reverse operation occurs to that above described, and the valve 46 is quickly closed and the valve 47 quickly opened. From the pressure chamber 9, gas is discharged past valve 47 to the burner port, or discharge port of the hydrocarbon conduit, and also may enter the pressure chamber 116, the diaphragm, or valve opi -erating member 111, of which is exposed on one side to the pressure of the gas in the hydrocarbon conduit discharged from chamber 9, and on the other side to the pressure of the gas in the oxygen conduit, of which latter conduit the pressure chamber 108 forms a` p-art, in the present embodiment. One of the purposes of the pressure chainber 108 is to furnish elastic opposition tc the operation of the valve operating member, or diaphragm 111, under the pressure of the gas in the hydrocarbon conduit, and it will be perceived that by providing a chamber with the movable diaphragm, as the chamber 108 with the member 111, a means to offer such elastic opposition results. In the embodiment disclosed it will also be observed that the chamber 108 is continuously open for reception of gas from the conduit pipe 14', so that the force ofopposition due to pressure of gas is substantially constant.

lVhen the discharge valve 113 of the oxygen pressure chamber 108 opens, by depression of the valve controlling device, or diaphragm 111, the oxygen floivs through the chamber 108 and out of the discharge port 112 to the burner. It will be observed therefore that the discharge valve of oxygen chamber 108 is energized to openy by a preponderating pressure in thehydrocarbon conduit as compared with the force of opposition furnished, in the present embodiment, by the gas chamber 108, or a spring, as at 115, or both. In the present embodiment the valve lever or arm 1111 is pivotally connected to member 111, upward movement of the member positively closing this valve. Of course the spring alone might be relied on to effect closing of this valve. It Will be vpei'ceived therefore that the variable volume pressure chamber 108 is adapted to yieldiiigly oppose variation of volumeof the variable volume pressure chamber 116 from a` predetermined volurne, and that the valve 113 operates as a flow control device and is operated yin response to variation of pressure iii the chamber 116, and at the same time andk at like intervals as the valve device for the chamber 9.

Adverting to that phase of the invention which has for its object the production of a light which shall have high efficiency visibility for short distances and in such media as fog, and shall have its visibility for long distances increased, as `compared with the Vresults attained by a luminous flame resultant from combustion in air, it may be stated that the ordinary air burning flame, of its oivn nature, has relatively, little distance visibility, because it does not contain Waves of sufficiently high frequency in sulficient amount. Forlong distance visibility Waves of relatively high frequency are required, aiid theliigh temperature flame of the present invention contains abundanceof such Waves, so lthat its visibility for long distances is very marked. At the same time the flame of the present invention contains Waves of relatively low frequency and vconsequent greater length, sucli as orangeyelloW, and inasmuch as these longer. Wave lengths penetrate fog better than the shorter Wave lengths, the flame of the present invention possesses high efficiency visibilityboth for long distances, short distances and the penetration of fog, and is adapted to a Wider range of use than a light which possesses but one of these characteristics. As the limits of visibility the eye is ygreatly more frequency light. Relative to the greater perfection of focusing attained by the present flame, it is to be noted that the effect of combustion with free oxygen is yto'grea'tly` decrease the height :pare-d to an air burning flame.

of the flame, besides increasing its temperature and the average frequency of radiation. One consequence is that a closer approximation to theoretical focusing relative to the refracting lens, is attained, due to the fact that the ,Haine is shorter als com- Another an'd most important consequence is that, in conjunction with the refractor, the visibility for a distant point is increased, because, though the light contains Waves of different frequencies, these frequencies are sufficiently close to each other to be refr-acted `more nearly alike. yThe effect o-f a` refractor is to deflect the higher frequencies more than the lower, and it is apparent that loW frequency light will be refractedin one direction and high frequency in another. In Athe air burning flame they frequencies are all relatively low, and the limit of visibility short. In the'arc lightk the frequencies may be con- ,sidered high, and the limit-of visibility long. The present flame may be considered to occupy an intermediate `position in the scale of frequency, so that more of the light is deflected the same amount and hence the `visibility is increased both for long and short olistancesbecause more of the light is given the same orV approximately the same direction by the refractor. the flameand consequent closer approach to perfection of focusing, the closer will the light be vrefracted in the same or parallel paths.

Furthern'iore it is a. physiological fact that tlieshorter Wave lengths are more quickly perceived by the eye. yHence in quickly ,scanning the horizon 4for a light, moving ythe eyes backand forth, the luminous llame of the present'iiivention Will make its impression on the eye under conditions which 4 might cause the. air burning flame to escape notice. `This isespecially true of a flame which appears at intervals only, as a flashing-flame. f

It will be observed that, not only are the `gas and oxygen ports of the burner such as to produce an annular-,flame by combustion between the gases of the annular jets, but

that the oxygen vport supplies the oxygen initially t0 thebase, or lower portion, of the jet issuing from the hydrocarbon gas port, and outside the latter port, theexit orifices of tlieseports being inthe saine horizontal plane, flush Willi the top of the burner in the .present embodiment. The free oxygen is therefore supplied uniformly v around the annular jet of hydrocarbon gas, sensitive to highfrequency light than to low ,upper part of theflame is given increased f liuiiinosity,` but the .base aswell. Whereas au airburning. flame is of `widely .vai-ying And the shorter luminosities from its base to its tip, being very low at its base. By the present construction the flame is intensely luminous from its base to its tip, and appears as a band of light in which the temperature radiations generally normal to the annulus are substantially uniform around the annulus and concentrated in a relatively short smokeless flame.

Adverting to the construction of the body of the buoy and the reservoir for the gases, it will be observed that, in the present embodiment, the body 1 comprises a large hollow body portion which is generally circular in cross sectio1i,'and has an interior axially disposed chamber 119, the lateral wall of which extends below the bulge of the oxygen chamber 12, and is closed at its bottom. In this chamber 119 may be deposited a flask of the compressed hydrocarbo-n gas employed, this flask providing the hydrocarbon gas reservoir previously referred to. Suitable means may be employed to securely hold the flask in the chamber 119. The tower 3 will of course be of such construction or size as to admit of the convenient deposition and removal of this flask.

It will be observed that the annular jet of hydrocarbon gas issuing from the burner is initially of fixed diametrical dimension. The edges of the orifice of the port 96 are in the same horizontal plane, so that even though the pressure of emission varies the diameter of the annular jet remains the same. Thus the flame substantially preserves a constant relation, laterally, relative to the lens 5. By setting the valves 31 and 102, the rate of emission of the hydrocarbon gas from the burner may be regulated and will remain substantially fixed for a certain setting, and this, in conjunction with the fixed lateral dimension makes for accuracy of focusing. The resultant flame, though not all theoretically pe-rfectly focused, will preserve its size and its relation to the lens 5 to a marked degree so that dependence may be placed upon the projection of the different wave lengths in approximately the same or parallel paths.

Thus by the above described construct-ion are accomplished, among others, the objects hereinbefore referred to.

As many changes could be made in the above construction and many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the language used in the following claims is intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent isl. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a. burner, two sources of supply of gas, separate conduits leading from said sources directly to said burner, devices adapted to control delivery through said conduits to said burner, comprising means controlled by a predetermined pressure lof gas in one conduit adapted to operate one of said devices to open communication tothe burner, and means whereby passage of said gas to the burner is adapted to operate another of said devices to open communication through said other conduit to the burner.

2. In an apparatus of' the character described, in combination, a burner, two sources of supply of gas, separate conduits leading from said sources to said burner, devices adapted to control delivery through said conduits to said burner comprising means controlled by a predetermined pressure of gas in one conduit adapted to operate one of said devices to open communication to the burner, and means whereby said passage of said gas to the burner is adapted to operate another of said devices to open communication thro-ugh said other conduit to the burner, said last mentioned meansl being responsive to a difference in pressure between the gas on its said passage to the burner and that in the other conduit.

3. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a gas chamber variable in volume, inlet and outlet valves for said chamber operable by variation of volume of said chamber, the one by increaseand the other by decrease of volume of said chamber, a second gas chamber in parallel with said first mentioned chamber, a valve for said second chamber, and operating means for said latter valve differentially responsive to pressures in said chambers to permit flow of gas from said second chamber simultaneously with flow from said first chamber.

4t. Inl an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a gas chamber com prising a wall movable to vary the volume thereof, inlet and outlet valves for said chamber, means whereby movement of said wall in one direction opens one of said valves and closes the other, a second gas chamber comprising a wall movable to 4vary the volume thereof, an outlet valve for said second chamber, means whereby movement in opposite directions of said wall of the second chamber effects closing and opening of the valve thereof, and means adapted to effect the movementsof the valve-s of one chamber in timed relation to that of the other at like intervals. v

5. In an apparatusof the'character'described, in combination, a gas chamber comprising a wall movable to vary the volume thereof, inlet and outlet valves for said chamber, meanswhereby-movement of said wall inA one directionopens one of said valves and closes the other, a second gas chamber comprising a wall movable to vary the volume thereof, an outlet valve for said second chamber, means whereby movement in opposite directions of said wall'of the second chamber effects closing and opening of the valve thereof, and means 'adapted to effect'the movements ofthe valves of one chamber in timed relation `to t-hose of the other comprising a third chamber adapted to communicate with said first chamber, and to which and said second chamber `rthe movable wall of the latter is common'.

6. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a'burner having two independent closely adjacent gas ports,

two sources of gas pressure, and conduits' adapted to indenpendently conduct the gases to the respective ports, one of said conduits comprising a chamber and means adapted to intermittently deliver gas thereto` and therefrom, and the other conduit, comprising a chamber and pressure controlled means adapted to intermittently deliver gas therefrom synchronously with the delivery from said other chamber. y

7 In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a burner having two independent closely adjacent gas ports, two sources of gas under pressure, and conduits adapted toindependent-ly conduct the gases to the respective ports, one of said conduits comprising a chamber and means adapted to intermittently deliver gas thereto and therefrom` and the other conduit comprising a chamber and means adaptedto intermittently deliver gas therefrom synchronously with the delivery from said other' chamber, said last mentioned chamber comprising a movable wall, an outlet valve adapted to be operated by movement of said wall, and a 'conduit adapted to establish communication between said first mentioned chamber and the eXterior face of said movable wall. y

8. In a device of the character' described, incombination. a plu 1ality of conduits' arranged in parallel, pressure chambers communicating with said'conduits, Ine-ans' a'ssociated with said chambers to cause simultaneous intermittent'fiowof gasfinboth of said conduits, said means includinga valve member closing one of said chambers against entry of gas during discharge therefrom, and vice versa, arock'shaftoperativelyconnected to 'said 'valve member", ai'quick-acting spring motor connected to said rock shaft and pressure operated means connected to said rockshaft to set said fmotor for quick operation in either direction.

9. In a device of the character described, in'combination, a pressure chamber, means for closing said chamber against entry of gasduring discharge therefrom, and vice versa, including a valve member, a quiclc acting motor operatively connected to said valve member, pressure operated means connected to said valve member to set said motor for quick operation in either direc'- tion, and resilient means for holding said valve member in operated position.

10. In a device of the character described, in combination, two conduits in parallel, a pressure chamber through which gas in one conduit Hows, maintained at substantially constant gas pressure and havinga delivery control device acted on differentially by said pressure and by gas pressure in the other conduit to cause simultaneous intermittent delivery of gas from both of said conduits.

1l. In a device of the character-described, in combination, two conduits in parallel, and means adapted to effect intermittent delivery of gas thereby, including a pressure chamber, through which the gas in one conduit flows, having a continuously ope-n entry for vgas and a controlled discharge, said cha-mber including a device, movable under the difference between the effective pressure thereon in the chamber and that in the other conduit, to control said discharge.

'12. In adevice of the character described, in combination, two gas conduits in parallel, means adapted to supply said conduits with gas under pressure, and gas operated variable volume pressure chambers adapted to cause simultaneous intermittent flow from said conduits and to communicate with each other;

13. In a device of the character described, in combination, two gas conduits, means adapted tosupply said conduits with gas under pressure, gas operated variable volume'pressure chambers adapted toV cause ntermittent flow in said conduits and to communicate with each other, and a substantially constanty pressure variable volume pressure chamber adapted to yieldingly oppose variation of volume of one of said pressure chambers from a predetermined volume.

lit. In-a device of the character described, in combination, two gas conduits in parallel, means adapted to supply said conduits with gas yunder pressure, gas operated variable volirme pressure chambers adapted to cause intermittent flow in said conduits and to communicate with each other, and a substantially'constant pressure variable volume pressure chamber communicating with -one of'sai'd conduits and adapted to yieldingly oppose variation of volume of one of said llO other pressure chambers from a predetermined volume.

l5. In a device of the character described, in combination, two gas conduits in parallel, means for separately supplying said conduits with gas under pressure, gas operated variable volume pressure chambers adapted to cause intermittent flow in said conduits and to communicate with each other, means adapted to close one of said pressure chambers against entry of gas during discharge of gas therefrom and vice versa, and a sub` stantially constant pressure variable volume pressure chamber adapted to yieldingly oppose variation of' volume of one of said other pressure chambers from a predetermined volume.

16. In a device of' the character described, in combination, two gas conduits, means adapted to supply said conduits with gas under pressure, gas operated variable volume pressure chambers adapted to control flow in said conduits, and a third variable volume pressure chamber through which the gas in one conduit flows adapted to oppose increase of volume ofone of said other chambers.

17. In a device of the character described, in combination, two gas conduits, means for separately supplying said conduits with gas under pressure, gas operated variable volunie pressure chambers adapted to control flow in said conduits, said chambers being in communication with each other through one of said conduits, and a third variable volume pressure chamber through which the gas in one conduit flows adapted to oppose increase ofl volume of one of said other chambers.

18. In a device of the character described, in combination, two gas conduits in parallel,

.gas operated variable volume pressure chambers communicating with one of said conduits and adapted to cause intermittent i'loiv in said conduits, anda third variable volume pressure chamber throughl which the gas in one conduit flows adapted to oppose .increase of' volume of' one of said other chambers.

19. In a device of the character described, in combination, two gas conduits in parallel, means adapted to supply said conduits with gas under pressure, a first and a second gas operated variable volume pressure chamber through which the gases in the conduit-s flow, respectively, adapted to cause intermittent flow, means adapted to close the first chamber against entry of gas during dis-v charge of gas therefrom, and vice versa, and a third variable volume pressure chamber adapted to receive gas from said first chamber and thereby cause variation of volume of said second chamber.

20. In a device of the character described, in combination, two gas conduits in parallel, means adapted to supply said conduits with gas under pressure, a first and a second gas operated variable volume pressure vchamber through which the gases in the conduits fiow, respectively, adapted to causeV intermittent flow, means adaptedto close the first chamber against entry of gas during discharge of gas therefrom, and vice versa, and a. third variable volume pressure chamber adapted to receive gas from said first chamber and thereby cause variation of' volume of said second chamber', said'second chamber being constantly open for reception of gas.

2l. In a device of the character described, in combination, two gas conduits in parallel, means adapted to supply said conduits with gas under pressure, a first and a second gas operated variable volume pressure chamber through which the gases in the conduits flow, respective-ly, adapted tocause intermittent flow, means adapted to close the first chainber against entry of gas during discharge of gas therefrom, and vice versa, and a third variable volume pressure chamber adapted to receive gas from said first chamber and thereby cause variation of volume of said second chamber, said third chamber communicating with the discharge port of the conduit.

22. In a device of the character described, in combination, two gas conduits in parallel, means adapted to supply said conduits with gas under pressure, a first and a second gas ope-rated variable volume pressure cham,- ber through which the gases in, the conduits flow, respectively, adapted to cause intermittent flow, means adapted' to close the first chamber against entry of gas during discharge of gas therefrom, and vice versa, and a third variable kvolume pressure chamber adapted to receive. gas from said first chann ber and thereby cause variation of volume of said second chamber, said second men tioned means including a valve-device, a motor-operated valve-device striker, and-` a device energized by pressure of' gas to set said striker in action.

23. In a device of the character described, in combination, two gas conduits in parallel, means adapted to supply said conduits with gas under pressure, Aa first and second gas operated variable volume pressure chamber through whichthe gases in the conduits flow, respectively, adapted to cause intermittentfiow, means adapted to close the first chamber against entry of gas during discharge of gas therefrom, and vice versa, and a third variable volume pressure chamber adapted to receive gas from said first chamber and thereby cause variation of volume of said second chamber, said second mentioned means including a valve-device, a motorico operated valve-device striker, and an oscillatory double acting tappet to set said striker in action. f l y 24. In a device of the character described,

of said second chamber adapted to communicate With said first mentioned chan,- ber on discharge of the latter.

33. In a device of the character described, in combination, tivo conduits in parallel for conduction of gas under pressure, means adapted to effect intermittent delivery of gas from each conduit comprising a variable volume pressure chamber through which the gas in one conduit flows, means controlled by variation of volume of said chamber adapted to close said chamber against entry of gas during discharge of gas therefrom and vice versa, a second variable volume pressure chamber through which the gas in the other conduit flows, means controlled by variation of volume of said second chamber adapted to open and close said second chamber against discharge of gas therefrom, and a third variable volume pressure chamber having a movable' Wall common to the Wall of said second chamber adapted to communicate With said first mentioned chamber on discharge of the latter, said third chamber communicating with the atmosphere through the discharge port of said first mentioned con duit.

34. In a device of the character described, in combination, two conduits in parallel for conduction of gas under pressure, means adapted to effect intermittent delivery of gas from each conduit comprising a variable volume pressure chamber through which the gas in one conduit flows, means controlled by variation of volume of said chamber adapted to close said chamber against entryi of gas during discharge of gas therefrom and vice versa, a second variable volume pressure chamber through which the gas in the other conduit flows, means controlled by variation of volume of said second chamber adapted to open and close said second chamber against discharge of gas therefrom, a third variable volume pressure chamber having a movable Wall common to the Wall of said second chamber adapted to communicate with said first mentioned chamber on discharge of the latter, said third chamber communicating with the atmosphere through the discharge port of' said first mentioned conduit, and means adapted to regulate entry of gas into said iii-st mentioned chamber.

35. In a device of the character described, in combination, tWo conduits in parallel for conduction of gas under pressure, means adapted to effect simultaneous intermittent flow of gas through said conduits including a valve in,y one of said conduits, anda valve operating member controlled differentially by pressurein both of said conduits.

36. In a device of the character described, in combination, ,'tWo conduits in parallel for conduction of gas under pressure, means controlled by pressure in one of said conduits for opening the same to How therein,

and means controlled differentially by pressures in both of said conduits for simul- -With said valve member and being effective to yieldingly hold the same in operated position in either direction.

In testimony whereof I aiiiX my signature, in the presence of two Witnesses.

GEORGE E. HULSE.` Witnesses J. W. ANDERSON,v LoUIsn KUHNnR. 

